Copyright & associated rights transactions and management

Copyright recognises the skill and labour and the ‘creative stamp’ expended by an author in creating a work. Copyright is, put simply, a right to copy a work (the owner may also restrict acts other than copying). The law is set out mainly in the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 (CDPA 1988), which took effect from 1 August 1989. Transitional provisions apply to pre-existing works.

In practice, one work tends to give rise to multiple copyrights. When considering copyright works, rights distinct from copyright, eg design rights, should also be considered as they may also apply to creative works. For an introduction to the law of copyright, see Practice Note: Introduction to copyright and associated rights.

Tracking developments in copyright law and practice

Copyright law has the sizeable task of responding to changes brought about by businesses and consumers operating in a digital age. As well as more organic legal developments, new technologies, the internet and post-IP completion day considerations provide an inexhaustible supply of challenges for those who do business in the UK and the rest of the world. To keep up with

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Latest IP News

The trade mark licensing ‘black hole’ (Lifestyle Equities v Sportsdirect)

IP analysis: This case is of interest to trade mark lawyers who advise clients on and litigate trade marks, particularly where the trade marks are licensed. In the UK, trade mark licenses can be registered, which confers benefits on the licensee, but there are also more subtle benefits for the licensor, which are explored in this judgment. Although the Trade Marks Act 1994 (TMA 1994) sets out the rules of the statutory licensing scheme, its effects and who it applies to, practical questions can and do arise. This case provides a close analysis of the scheme, and answers three discrete questions. First, sub-licensees of an exclusive license need not necessarily be registered to recover damages; second, non-exclusive sub licensees may not be joined to proceedings; and third, while late registration of a licence can cure non-registration, there are significant safety mechanisms to prevent over-recovery or improper recovery of damages. Written by Sam Fisher, associate at CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP.

UK music collective wins action to halt mass claim over ‘black box’ royalties

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UPC won't refer costs questions to top EU court

Law360, London: The Unified Patent Court (UPC) said 20 August 2025 that it cannot refer questions of its framework or procedures to the EU's top court, ruling that such issues fall outside the EU's jurisdiction.

IP weekly highlights—28 August 2025

This week's edition of IP weekly highlights includes: a hand-picked summary of news analysis, updates and new content from the world of IP. These highlights focus on the key rights of copyright and associated rights, database rights, trade marks and passing off, designs, and patents as well as covering issues relating to confidential information, know-how R&D and IP disputes all mainly from a UK and European perspective.